Daffodil Days of Spring

April 12, 2012

In Oregon — as in many other parts of the world — the sprouting of daffodils signals the start of spring. They are a sign of new beginnings and are the centerpiece of Daffodil Days, a major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

When I first planted the papery bulbs last fall along the edge of the stairs leading to my front porch, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I wasn’t even sure they’d thrive in the odd mix of sand and clay I call a front yard.

So when spring arrived, I was more than a little surprised when the first greens pushed through the soil and reached toward the sky. In just a few short days, double blooms topped each stalk (an even bigger surprise because I couldn’t remember what kind of daffodil bulbs I bought so many months ago).